ICT Long Term Sponsorship Switch

[Jazz127]

Hello,

I am new to this forum & was wondering if I could get some guidance on my queries regarding sponsorship.

I have a ICT Tier 2 Long Term Visa ending in May 2017 with sponsorship from my current employer.I am expecting an offer from another company and would like to know if the existing sponsorship can be switched or purchased by the new company from my existing company keeping the visa valid.

If not, would my new company has to apply fresh visa & if so are there any restriction on applying ICT Tier 2 Long Term Visa again?

Any guidance would be of great help.Cheers!

Thanks
Jazz

[CR001]

You need to apply for a new Tier 2 General visa and you would likely need to complete a 12 month cooling off period outside the UK. A new sponsor within the UK would not be an inter company transfer (ICT visa) but Tier 2 General.

Companies cannot 'purchase' your existing visa. They need to be a licensed sponsor and follow the processes.

[Jazz127]

Thanks a lot for your response,just to clarify,my current employer is Indian company & new employer aswell would be an indian company hiring me from India & deputing to work in London.Would that make any differnce? If not looks like its better to continue with the current employer.

Thanks

[CR001]

Suggest wait for moonlight55 or one of the other mods to confirm. I am not sure about ICT to ICT applications. It would still be an application from home country I think.

[gag285]

Suggest wait for moonlight55 or one of the other mods to confirm. I am not sure about ICT to ICT applications. It would still be an application from home country I think.

Tier 2 ICT (Long Term) requires you to be employed with your company for atleast 12 months before you can make a Tier 2 ICT (LT) application through them. Like cr001 said, they are most likely to offer you a Tier 2 General visa where a 12 month cool off applies.

[CR001]

Thanks gag285, so whichever way, it is 12 months outside the UK basically.

[Jazz127]

Thanks Both,that really helps!so its better not to mess up with my current visa I take it.Looks like I had the wrong information from some friends that,sponsorship can be switched keeping existing visa valid.
Anyways,Thanks again for your quick help.
cheers!